Police, community and calendar briefs for Dec. 3, 2012

Published: Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 8:52 p.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 8:52 p.m.

Ocala Police Officer Mark Crandall said Sunday that there have been a number of vehicles broken into on Ocala’s east side

“In the majority of those cases, the cars were not secured,” Crandall said.

He said if people notice any suspicious people, they should notify OPD.

“It’s not an inconvenience to call us because that’s what we do,” Crandall said. “If you have a suspicious person hanging around your backyard, call the police. That’s what we are here for.”

Community

Preserve temporarily closed for hog hunts

The Southwest Florida Water Management District’s Hálpata Tastanaki Preserve will be temporarily closed to the public for wild hog hunts Tuesday through Thursday. Only permitted hunters will be allowed on the property those dates.

This activity is one of a series of wild hog hunts being held on district lands in an effort to control damage to natural habitats.

For more information, call 800-423-1476 or 796-7211, ext. 4467.

Christmas in Fort McCoy at VFW home

A Christmas in Fort McCoy event begins at 7 p.m. Friday at the VFW Retirement Home at 13005 NE 135th St., and will include a special Pearl Harbor tribute.

A musical prelude will begin at 6:30 p.m. The event will include the presentation of the colors, a wreath presentation, tree lighting and reading of the “Christmas Story,” with a visit from Santa Claus.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, call 236-0823.

Women’s club meets at Ocala Elk’s Club

The GFWC Woman’s Club of Ocala will meet at 11:45 a.m. Dec. 11 at the Ocala Elk’s Club, 702 NE 25th Ave. Ocala. Speaker Gloria James will discuss the Kyleigh Faith Foundation, Inc.

Reservations are needed by Thursday.

For reservations, call 347-3975, for more information, call 351-2708.

FWC hosts webinars, gathering public input

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is hosting two webinars to gather public testimony and input on the potential creation of saltwater game fish and sport fish designations. The online meetings are from 6 to 8 p.m. Dec. 10 and 12.

To participate, visit fwc.adobeconnect.com/mfm.

Online Social Security statements available

Online Social Security statements can provide estimates to plan for retirement, disability and survivors benefits.

They also can help determine whether earnings are accurately posted, which is important because Social Security benefits are based on average earnings over a lifetime.

To get a personalized online statement, you must be age 18 or older and be able to provide information about yourself that matches information already on file.

For more information, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/mystatement.

Senior menu items planned for the week

The following meals will be provided by Marion Senior Services, 1101 SW 20th Court, Ocala. Lunches will be delivered by Meals on Wheels; dinners will be provided at Marion Senior Services. For more information, call 620-3501.